We are working really hard to get Grimes back and it's extremely likely that we succeed.

The issue I have is that Grimes will be 29 before the start of this year and he pretty much only uses athleticism to play the position. I hope we don't sign him for too long but I can't say I'll be upset to see him come back.

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Curtis Lofton go. I think that could be one of the reasons we re-signed Nicholas and still drafted a LB in the 3rd round last year.

We are working really hard to get Grimes back and it's extremely likely that we succeed.

The issue I have is that Grimes will be 29 before the start of this year and he pretty much only uses athleticism to play the position. I hope we don't sign him for too long but I can't say I'll be upset to see him come back.

I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Curtis Lofton go. I think that could be one of the reasons we re-signed Nicholas and still drafted a LB in the 3rd round last year.

I was keeping my eye on Grimes to see what the Falcons were going to do, are you guys happy that they tagged him now? I was sort of hoping he'd hit the free agent market, I think the guy can flat play and would have been a major commodity on the open market. Do you think that Atlanta is going to try to work out a deal while he's on his tag?

Wow, with Abraham gone who do the Falcons have to rush the passer, I didn't hear much of anything about Ray Edwards, was he impressive enough to allow a quality pass rusher like John Abraham go?

Ray Edwards is average at best. Problem is, Abraham wants top defensive end money, and we're not going to give that to someone at the end of their career. We'll stay active in free agency and will probably try to sign guys like Mario Williams and Robert Mathis. We'll also most likely draft a DE with one of our top picks. The team apparently also really likes rotational end Lawrence Sidbury.

Ray Edwards is average at best. Problem is, Abraham wants top defensive end money, and we're not going to give that to someone at the end of their career. We'll stay active in free agency and will probably try to sign guys like Mario Williams and Robert Mathis. We'll also most likely draft a DE with one of our top picks. The team apparently also really likes rotational end Lawrence Sidbury.

Personally I prefer to keep the pass rushers and let them help the cover guys, but I guess it can work both ways, I like defense inside out front to back, seems like the idea here may be outside in back to front. I think both can work, I guess Atlanta will just have to hope for the best. The lack of pass rush seemed to be the weakest thing I've seen from them in the last couple of years in the playoffs elite QBs not getting pressured ends up getting a secondary owned.

I was keeping my eye on Grimes to see what the Falcons were going to do, are you guys happy that they tagged him now? I was sort of hoping he'd hit the free agent market, I think the guy can flat play and would have been a major commodity on the open market. Do you think that Atlanta is going to try to work out a deal while he's on his tag?

I'm pleased. Grimes is a top 10 CB. Let's see how he does in Nolan's new defense. Say goodbye to Abraham and Lofton.

Interested to see how he does too. I'm also surprised we're talking long term deal. Brent Grimes is a good football player and would be in any system. I'm just not sure he's great anymore if we aren't a heavy zone team. I figured we'd tag him, evaluate his play, and talk deal after the season.

My brother talks to Matt Ryan all the time, so I asked him to see if they will be bringing Lofton back.

Matty's response: "I'm pretty sure Lofton is coming back. I talked to him recently and he's excited about the new defensive coordinator and he really wants to stay in Atlanta. I think the front office will be negotiating with him pretty soon. I doubt they let him walk."